How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live For?

It's very important to know the life expectancy of an animal before adopting it, since you must be responsible for it throughout its whole life. If this isn't the case, what's the point in getting a pet in the first place?

Rodents, such as guinea pigs, are generally animals that can live for a very long time if you look after them well, offer them social stimulation and all kinds of enrichment.

Do you want to know how long do guinea pigs live for? Keep reading this AnimalWised article to find out, and learn some tricks to help your companion live for as long as possible.

The guinea pig, a long-lasting animal

The life expectancy of a guinea pig is directly influenced by various factors, such as how well it is cared for, its diet or any health problems. In general, these animals live for 4 to 9 years.

Determining exactly how long a guinea pig will live for is complicated, and virtually impossible to say for sure. For this reason we give an estimate of 5 years, since many guinea pigs have lived until 9 years old whilst others have barely reached 3.

How to increase a guinea pig's life expectancy

The guinea pig is a completely herbivorous animal, which is exactly why food will be very important in increasing its life expectancy. You must become familiar with the forbidden foods for guinea pigs; this way, you'll ensure your pet doesn't get sick because of something it's eaten.

Vitamin C is especially enriching and beneficial for guinea pigs. It will also be essential to have fresh water and hay at all times.

You should also make sure you take good care of your guinea pig beyond its dietary requirements. One such requirement is the need for a large space and various tunnels and toys, to add variety to its life.

Finally it must be added that guinea pigs are social animals, which is why if it doesn't have a partner - which would be ideal - you must strive to give it time and attention. By doing this your guinea pig will be stimulated and receptive to human interaction. Read this article to learn more about how to help a sad guinea pig.

What diseases are common in guinea pigs?

To conclude our article on how long do guinea pigs live for we should take some time to explain the diseases that can affect your pet throughout its life. It is only by doing research that you'll be prepared and know how to act quickly when any of them appear.

Diarrhea is more serious than it seems, since strong diarrhea can dehydrate your guinea pig and kill it fairly easily. If this happens, you should eliminate all kinds of green food from its diet and provide it with plenty of quality hay, as well as any treatment that the vet recommends to you.

Pneumonia is another of the most common diseases that your guinea pig can suffer from. It's usually caused by stress, poor hygiene or a sudden change in temperature. The vet will probably recommend you antibiotics.

Guinea pigs are unable to produce vitamin C by themselves, which is why your little rodent will be susceptible to scurvy when faced with a deficiency.

Tumors often appear in older specimens, but even so, you should know that a guinea pig with a tumor can still live for quite a long time.

Guinea pigs can be susceptible to contracting all types of intestinal or external parasites if they come into contact with other animals, excrement or infected food. You must make sure that your guinea pig is not exposed to such situations, and maintain an optimal level of hygiene.

Finally, another important factor to point out is the possible presence of fungi, of which the most serious is ringworm. If you detect the presence of fungi you should go to immediately to the vet because it can be contagious.

That concludes our section on the most common diseases suffered by guinea pigs. Remember that you should take your friend to the vet at even the slightest suspicion, since acting quickly can help it to overcome a problem which could be fatal if left untreated.

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